Chicago Bears (5-7 SU, 4-8 ATS) at Washington Redskins (5-7, 4-6-2)

December 6, 2007
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Source: DONBEST.com
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Clinton Portis, come on down, you're the latest contestant to try and run over around and through the Chicago Bears defense. The Washington Redskins running back has been in a slump of late, but is licking his chops at the opportunity to face the Bears on Thursday at FedEx Field.

Chicago and Washington are still in the thick of the hunt in the NFC wild card chase despite matching 5-7 records. Only three teams since 1990 have recovered from a 5-7 mark to make the postseason. Working in their favor is the dysfunctional nature of the NFC. Three 6-6 teams and five 5-7 teams are fighting for the last wild-card berth.

The Bears head to Washington No. 28 in total defense, giving up 20 points and 356 yards per game. Chicago has the sixth worst rushing defense in the league and it has made average running backs look unstoppable. The Bears have allowed more than 100 rushing yards in eight consecutive games and are giving up 130.8 per game.

Washington coach Joe Gibbs intends to hand the ball to Portis and hope for the best. Portis gained just 154 yards on 57 carries in the last three games (2.7 YPC), but he has averaged 151 yards in his last three appearances against Chicago.

Washington has dropped four straight and six of its losses have been by eight points or less. The Redskins might be emotionally drained from a taxing week, having attended the funeral of murdered teammate Sean Taylor on Monday in Miami after suffering a one-point loss Sunday at Buffalo.

Recent history says the Bears should leave the nation's capital victorious. Last year's NFC champs have followed every loss with a win since Week 4 and they have a better record on the road (3-3) than they do at Soldier Field (2-4).

Chicago has struggled on the road in December, failing to cash 23 of its last 29 (1-9-2 the last five years). The Bears have also dropped five of their last seven as dogs and 13 of 18 overall ATS.

Washington can trump those negatives with a few of its own. The Redskins are 1-6 ATS in their last seven outings and 1-6-2 in their last nine at home. They have stumbled in a 7-1-1 clip as home chalk as well.

The short week of practice for both teams will very likely affect both offenses. Chicago has been on the low side at a 21-5-1 clip as underdogs of up to three points and it has slipped below the 'total' in five of seven on field turf. Washington has stayed on the low side in five of its last seven as home favorites and in 23 of 32 when facing teams from the NFC North.

Most offshore books opened the Redskins as 3-point favorites with the 'total' set at 37 1/2.